Louisville woman killed during routine garbage cleanup was victim of 'tragic accident,' mayor says

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The attorney for the woman who died while employees from Louisville Solid Waste Management were performing a routine alley cleanup identified her Tuesday.

Tyrah Adams was killed in what Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Tuesday was a "tragic loss of life."

Louisville Metro Police is investigating her death. The incident occurred Thursday, Feb. 12 just after 9 a.m. in the 2500 block of Cedar Street near 26th Street.

Louisville Metro Public Works said alley cleanups happen hundreds of times each day across the city.

LMPD Officer Adam Sears said officers were called to the area of 26th Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard for a person down. Police initially reported a possible medical issue but later said the woman sustained injuries from contact with equipment on a garbage truck.

Greenberg said Tuesday that the crew didn't see Adams, who was "in some of this garbage that was picked up and moved to another location." He said, before that garbage was hauled away, Adams "suffered injuries" and later died.

"While she did leave the scene of where the garbage was then put down, she ultimately died and that is certainly a tragic loss," Greenberg said. "It appears to be a tragic accident to lose someone in our city in this way."

He added there's no evidence of any wrongdoing, but, because a city vehicle was involved, the LMPD Public Integrity Unit is leading the investigation.

The Public Works employees involved were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. People who lived nearby said the woman was homeless and frequently walked the streets.